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Information:

The Optimists Alumni Drum & Bugle
Corps

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

. . . March On!

Bernie (Doug) Thompson

Corps:
Toronto Optimists

July 26, 1917 — January 1, 1999

Bernie became involved with the Optimists in 1963 after his son
Paul joined the Corps. During that year he drove one of the
three station wagons that accompanied the Corps on its travels.
In 1964 he became Equipment Manager for the Corps and continued
in that capacity until the Spring of 1965 when he left to become
involved with the Liberal Party of Canada in its Election
Campaign.

Bernie actually had four children involved
in Drum Corps. In addition to Paul, he had
another son, Leo, who also marched with the
Optimists as well as twin daughters,
Bernadette who marched with Parkdale Pirettes
(Lions) and Bernardine who marched with Parkdale
Pirettes, Golden Monarchs, St. John's Girls,
Sarnia Marching Angels, Markham Collegettes,
Kawartha Kavaliers, Burlington Commanders
and Guelph Royalaires. Bernie's fondest memory was of serving as an unofficial
‘Personal Valet” to Drum Major, Jim McKonkey and successfully
compressing Jim’s 40-inch waist into a 34” pant through the use
of Jim’s famous belt and buckle.

Bernie joined the
DCAT in 1998 but unfortunately died on New Year's day 1999
before he had an opportunity to perform with the choir.